Councillor hails last phase of work at Langley Green Primary School a triumph

THE final phase of redevelopment at Langley Green Primary has been hailed as a major triumph for the neighbourhood.

Last week the News told how the third phase of development at the school in Stagelands had been given the go-ahead after funding was allocated.

The first phase included building a new medical centre and community centre.

The second phase, which should be complete by the summer, has seen half the school bulldozed with a new building being constructed which contains a new entrance, five classrooms, a nursery, a library, a studio, a main hall, a kitchen, changing facilities and a staff room.

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The third phase, which will start once the second phase is complete, will see the other half of the school rebuilt.

Brenda Smith, a Labour councillor for Langley Green, this week hailed the news.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I worked really hard for it, badgering and badgering the county council.

"The previous cabinet member for schools was very supportive, then when I got elected to county I started working with (the current cabinet member) Peter Griffiths, who has come up trumps.

"The development could have stalled at any of the three stages but he has been really understanding of the need in Langley Green.

"People are finding themselves in that awful situation where they have one child in Langley Green and another in a different neighbourhood. This will help with that."

Langley Green Primary is taking on 105 extra pupils over the next seven years.

By September 2014 it is hoped there will be another 820 school places in Crawley.

Seymour Primary in Broadfield, Milton Mount Primary in Pound Hill, and Hilltop Primary in Southgate will be expanded.

Last week Mr Griffiths told the News that Maidenbower Infant School would also be expanded but the council has since clarified that it is actually The Brook Infants, in Maidenbower, which is taking on extra pupils.